Advent reflection draws dozens of young adults
SALT LAKE CITY — Advent is more than a celebration of the birth of the Christ Child, it is a time of anticipation, of looking forward to the coming of someone into our lives who comes because he loves us – the Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Oscar A. Solis told young people from across the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City at the Young Adult Advent Reflection at the Cathedral of the Madeline Dec. 6.
Advent focuses on the center and meaning of life’s existence – Jesus Christ, Bishop Solis said. It is a reminder that God is always with us, that we were created to be in union with him.
Advent is a season where we are excited to experience the abiding and living presence of God in us and among us, he said.
“Don’t wait in passive mode, wait in hunger,” Bishop Solis advised those who heard his words.
Bishop Solis recounted the story of a man running in the mountains who was frightened by a lion that crossed his path. He fled as fast as he could away from the beast, only to run headlong into a tiger. He turned from the tiger and began to retreat, only to be overtaken by the lion. Then he woke up.
“Is our faith and light awake in our relationship with God?” Bishop Solis asked.
He challenged his audience to awaken and find and experience the living presence of God.
Bishop Solis said that often we get so distracted by technology and instead of praying, lose ourselves in social media, thereby pushing away God and denying the love he offers, he said.
That is why we must always be conscious of God’s desire to be in our lives, and be engaged in staying awake to never lose sight of God and his presence, he said.
“Prayer is the simple act we can do to make God present in our lives. It is a constant reminder that God is always with us,” Bishop Solis said.
To put God first in our lives, we must have a conversion of heart, actions and attitudes, he said, and urged his audience to be vigilant in striving for the presence of God in their lives, and to “live fruitfully, actively and lovingly.”
Advent provides a glimpse of hope we don’t have, the hope that we are not alone. It is an opportunity to renew our faith and reminds us God is a loving God who never gets tired of loving us, Bishop Solis said in conclusion. “Being a disciple of Jesus means committing ourselves with an open heart to receive the promise of Christ’s grace.”
Bishop Solis’ remarks resonated with those who heard him speak.
The Reflection was “ a good reminder of what Advent means and a good way to prepare – to be the best version of yourself when Jesus comes,” said Anna Augustine, a St. Francis of Assisi parishioner, who attended with her friend Brandon Goodman, a participant in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. “We’ve both been meaning to come. It just felt right.”
“It’s a good sermon to get us prepared for the Christmas season. Advent is really short,” said Vance Smith, a member of St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center. Guadalupe Gonzalez , also a member at the Newman Center, expressed appreciation that the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry had organized this event.
“Just to be with community is really great,” she said.
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